You’re Invited to This Critical Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) Meeting on ZEE Equipment

–April 21

Written by Colorado Green NOW

Dear ALCC Members in the Denver Metro & North Front Range,

We’re reaching out specifically to you—our members in the Denver Metro and North Front Range regions—because the Regional Air Quality Council (RAQC) is holding a second outreach meeting that could directly affect how you operate your business in the coming years.

The proposed rule is an expansion of Colorado Regulation 29, which currently restricts the use of gas-powered, handheld lawn and garden equipment by local, state, and federal agencies and their contractors during the ozone season (June 1–August 31). RAQC is now proposing to extend these same restrictions to commercial operators in this region.

You’re Invited to This Critical RAQC Meeting on ZEE Equipment

Date: Monday, April 21, 2025

Time: 9:00–11:00 AM

Location: Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE)

4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Building B1E/F, Denver, CO 80246

(Please check in at Building A; you’ll be directed to the meeting room.)

Register for in person attendance.

Virtual Option: register to attend via Zoom for those unable to attend in person 

In-person attendance is encouraged, but we welcome your participation in any format. Please share this with anyone else who may be affected.

Why Your Voice Matters

While the proposed rules are limited to the ozone season, the impact would be felt year-round. Contractors cannot maintain different equipment fleets for different months. A summer-only regulation would drive full-fleet changes affecting purchasing, training, charging infrastructure, logistics, and customer expectations throughout the year.

Where Things Stand After the First RAQC Meeting

At RAQC’s February 27 stakeholder meeting, three regulatory paths were introduced. The landscape community showed the most interest in Concept 3: Scheduled Fleet Turnover, which would allow for gradual replacement aligned with normal equipment cycles.

However, participants raised several concerns including:

  • No funding or incentives were proposed to help businesses offset the high cost of conversion
  • Electric equipment remains limited in performance and runtime for many commercial applications
  • Residential users—who account for the majority of gas equipment emissions—are not included in this regulation
  • The proposal assumes a uniform solution that doesn’t account for the size and diversity of landscape operations

ALCC Supports Clean Air—And a Thoughtful Approach

The Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC) and our members strongly support efforts to improve Colorado’s air quality and reduce emissions. We are committed to being part of the solution.

But we believe that this transition must be practical and collaborative, with:

  • Sufficient time for market and infrastructure readiness
  • Recognition of on-the-ground realities in diverse field conditions
  • A shared burden that includes all users including residential consumers of gas-powered equipment
  • Provide significant incentives to offset the tremendous cost burden (currently @ $15k+ per crew, upwards to $100k in infrastructure cost)

Make Your Voice Heard – April 21

Your participation at this meeting is essential to ensure new regulations are grounded in real-world experience and reflect the needs of the professional landscape industry.

Please register and plan to attend—your voice matters.

If you have questions or wish to provide input ahead of time contact ALCC.

Thank you for your leadership and for helping to protect the future of our industry.

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